Effect of seed priming on quality parameters of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seeds harvested under irrigated & rainfed conditions

Abstract

The present study was conducted on wheat variety “K-9351 (Mandakini)”and was procured from Seed Processing Plant, C.S Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur. The experiment was conducted in Rabi 2014-15 and 2015-16. The seeds were used for pre-sowing seed treatments, i.e.T1= Control (Unprimed), T2= Priming with tap water, T3= Priming with KNO3 (2.5%), T4= Priming with GA3 (50ppm), T5= Priming with Cacl2 (1%), T6= Priming with NaCl (1%) & T7= Priming with KH2 PO4 (1%). Pre-sowing seed treatment or priming was done by soaking of required quantity of seeds of wheat variety Mandakini K-9351 in tap water and various chemicals’ concentration for 12 hrs in ratio of 1:1 (Kg of seeds/volume of solution) by using wet gunny bags. Then the treated or primed seeds were dried in shade to maintain the seed moisture content approximately 12 or 13%. Seed dressing was done on primed and untreated (control) by Thiram (2.5%). Seeds priming were KNO3 @ 2.5% on wheat variety Mandakini (K-9351) significantly improved the seed quality with percent increase of 15.30 & 20.96 in 1000 seed weight (g), 4.47 & 5.08 in germination (%), 16.03 & 20.91 in seedling length (cm), 27.22 & 40.12 in seedling dry weight (g), 21.29 & 28.86 in SVI-I, 24.86 & 46.81 in SVI-II, 5.75 & 5.51 in E.C. value and 12.72 & 8.92 in protein content over unprimed or control under irrigated and rain fed conditions, respectively.